Alt Rock Sister Duo Softcult Share New Single “Gaslight” From Forthcoming EP
Toronto-based sister duo Softcult are releasing their new EP Year of the Snake on February 4th, and the twin sister combo of Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn have shared the collection’s fifth single “Gaslight”.
Inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement and ’90s grunge and shoegaze, the new single aims its sights on the psychological manipulation technique and its toxic power in politics, relationships, and everyday life.
“Anyone who hears the song will be able to recognize those red flags if they encounter that kind of behaviour,” says Phoenix. “It’s a tactic that many abusers and groomers will use to tear down the defences of their victims to make them easier to manipulate”.
The video for “Gaslight”, directed by Mercedes, was heavily inspired by the 1960’s French new wave aesthetic and features a 4:3 aspect ratio, heavy film grain, film burns, and hand-held footage.
“I always felt like the song had kind of a 60’s feel to it, but this creative choice served more than an aesthetic purpose”, explains Mercedes. “Not only is it stylistically accurate to that era, but I felt that the 4:3 aspect ratio created a claustrophobic feeling like the walls are closing in, and it purposefully draws our attention to a specific point: the centre of the picture. It’s the feeling of being confined. I wanted to use the cinematography as an analogy, making the viewer pay attention to only the details I want them to see while obscuring their view of the big picture”.
Watch the music video below, and check out upcoming US and UK tour dates just past.
Tour dates:
Thursday, February 3, 2022 Nile Underground Mesa, AZ
Friday, February 4, 2022 Soda Bar San Diego, CA
Saturday, February 5, 2022 The Echo Los Angeles, CA
Sunday, February 6, 2022 Constellation Room Santa Ana, CA
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 Harlow’s Sacramento, CA
Wednesday, February 9, 2022 Catalyst Atrium Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, February 10, 2022 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA
Thursday, February 17, 2022 Muthers Studio Birmingham, UK
Friday, February 18, 2022 Crofters Bristol, UK
Saturday, February 19, 2022 Heartbreakers Southampton, UK
Sunday, February 20, 2022 The Key Club Leeds, UK
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 The Garage (Attic Bar) Glasgow, UK
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 The Deaf Institute Manchester, UK
Thursday, February 24, 2022 Camden Assembly London, UK
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James Blake Shares New Music Video For “Famous Last Words”
Singer-Songwriter Taylor Janzen Stays Afloat With New Single “Push It Down” Alongside North American Tour Announcement
